Annual Grants Awarded

The Fourth Generation Experience

Fourth Generation is a hands-on experience in philanthropy. Members work together to learn about a critical local issue. They identify promising efforts to address it. And they pool their donations to make a bigger impact than they could alone.

Since Fourth Gen got started in 2010, more than 100 members have donated, raised, and given away nearly $300,000 to address critical issues such as mental health, youth homelessness, food justice, small business development, resources for immigrant populations, aging, and criminal justice reform. They’ve learned about our community, discovered unique and innovative organizations, and gained skills that will help them shape our community’s future. Want more of our history? Read about how Fourth Generation came to be a destination for emerging philanthropists.

Here is a glimpse of how it works:

Learn About a Critical Issue

Share Ideas, Talent & Experiences

Connect with Local Leaders & Peers

Give More by Pooling Your Donation

Ready to make a difference? Support Fourth Generation by donating below.

Upcoming Events

Kick-Off Event

Our 10th grantmaking cycle kicks off on September 18! Bring your opinions, your values, and your voice to help us choose a topic for this year’s grantmaking. All guests in attendance will have the opportunity to vote on the topic they find the most compelling and this will set the focus for the year.

Become a Member of Fourth Generation

Are you ready to make a real difference? Fourth Generation offers our members a variety of educational opportunities to develop their leadership skills, learn about effective giving, and meet local leaders. To reflect the busy schedules of our members, we have created different levels of membership that reflect the commitment you are able to make:

Charting Your Individual GivingJoin us for a discussion on how to think strategically about making philanthropy meaningful and feasible for you. You will leave with tools to design a giving plan that matches your values and your budget. Bring your partner!

Educational EventsThis year we are hosting an education series covering topics including Nonprofits 101, Giving Circles, What is a Donor Advised Fund, Anyway?, and events focused on our chosen community issue.

Graze 4 Good
You won’t want to miss our annual fundraising event. Think signature cocktails, the hottest local chefs, and a celebration just short of a food fight.

Grantmaking Committee
Join the monthly meetings where we collaboratively investigate a local issue, evaluate proposals, conduct site visits, and make grants. Members of this group have the opportunity to serve on the Fourth Generation Advisory Board.

Private Philanthropy Briefing
A unique opportunity to spend time discussing an issue of your choice over a private lunch with Minneapolis Foundation leaders.

Foundation Annual Luncheon
Each spring we gather for a celebration of the work happening at The Minneapolis Foundation, which includes the accomplishments of our flagship Giving Program, the Fourth Generation Fund.

Our Advisory Board

Jason Borah, Graze 4 Good Co-ChairSenior Research Quality Analyst
University of Minnesota Foundation

What’s New With Fourth Gen

Fourth Generation, a program of The Minneapolis Foundation that brings together emerging philanthropists, awarded $60,000 in grants to six local organizations working to address place-based disparities. Each organization will receive $10,000. Members of Fourth Generation work together to learn the skills of strategic giving and pool their resources to make…

Fourth Generation, a program of The Minneapolis Foundation that brings together emerging philanthropists, awarded $70,000 in grants to seven local organizations working on affordable housing. Each organization will receive a $10,000 grant. Members of Fourth Generation work together to learn the skills of strategic giving and pool their resources…

Stay Connected

Fourth Generation occasionally sends out emails about upcoming events, opportunities, and community issues.
They are usually brief and often kind of witty (at least we think so).

For more information about Fourth Generation, contact Alyssa Hawkins, Director of Giving Programs, at ahawkins@mplsfoundation.org. She would love to buy you a cup of coffee and find out what Fourth Generation can do for you.